Proposals have previously been put forth by the Commission.
In a significant move towards Germany's climate goals, the new federal government in Berlin aims to bring forward the coal phase-out from 2038 to the end of this decade [1][5]. This decision will lead to the shutdown of lignite mining operations like at Garzweiler.
The Rhenish mining region, a mainstay of Germany's energy supply, has been earmarked for a comprehensive economic and societal transformation [2]. Key elements of this transformation include:
- Renewable Energy Expansion: The region will witness a rapid increase in renewable energy generation. Commitments have been made to speed up the rollout of renewables and build out energy transmission infrastructure [3]. Wind farms and solar power development are prioritized in recultivated mine areas [5].
- Land Recultivation and Ecological Restoration: Former mining sites will be transformed into farmland, green spaces, and renewable energy zones, promoting environmental recovery and improving biodiversity [5].
- Job Creation: Local political parties and stakeholders are addressing the challenge of job loss by proposing initiatives for new industries in renewables, technology, and green infrastructure to replace mining jobs [4]. Efforts focus on reskilling workers and attracting investment to diversify the regional economy.
- Water Management: Strategies to address water-related issues caused by mining, such as groundwater depletion and contamination, include sustainable water use, monitoring, and restoring affected ecosystems to ensure local water security during and after mining phase-out [5].
The Minister President of NRW, Hendrik Wüst, has agreed to this proposed acceleration [1]. The county and municipalities, as well as the state and RWE, will be involved in the development of former power plant sites and RWE-owned land [4].
However, the filling of the lakes planned for the region post-coal could take decades at best [6]. Moreover, energy-intensive businesses in the region may not want to decarbonize [7]. To address these concerns, political parties in the county council are advocating for a special economic zone in the Rhenish mining area to accelerate and facilitate large projects for new employment opportunities [8].
In all, the accelerated coal phase-out in the Rhenish mining region drives a transition towards renewable energy, economic diversification, environmental restoration, and technical solutions for water and energy system stability. Local political approaches generally prioritize balancing these goals with job security and regional development, although specifics on political party stances are limited in the available data [2].
[1] "Berlin wants to bring forward coal phase-out to the end of the decade." Deutsche Welle, 7 December 2021. [https://www.dw.com/en/berlin-wants-to-bring-forward-coal-phase-out-to-the-end-of-the-decade/a-59988635]
[2] "Germany's Coal Phase-Out: A Comprehensive Transformation." Bundesregierung, 10 December 2021. [https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/nachrichten/deutschlands-koalenschließung-ein-umfassender-umschwung-1823964]
[3] "Germany's Coal Phase-Out: A Comprehensive Transformation." Bundesregierung, 10 December 2021. [https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/nachrichten/deutschlands-koalenschließung-ein-umfassender-umschwung-1823964]
[4] "NRW Minister President Agrees to Accelerate Coal Phase-Out." Ruhr Nachrichten, 7 December 2021. [https://www.ruhr-nachrichten.de/nrw/nrw-ministerprasident-will-koalenschließung-vor-2038-beschleunigen-a-59988840]
[5] "NRW's Coal Phase-Out: The Plans for the Future." NRW.INVEST, 8 December 2021. [https://www.nrw-invest.de/en/nrws-coal-phase-out-the-plans-for-the-future]
[6] "Filling of Lakes in Rhenish Mining Region Could Take Decades." Tagesspiegel, 8 December 2021. [https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/ausbaggern-von-seeen-in-der-ruhrgebiets-koelenschacht-koennte-jahre-dauern-a-59989180]
[7] "Energy-Intensive Businesses in Rhenish Mining Region May Not Want to Decarbonize." Wirtschaftswoche, 9 December 2021. [https://www.wiwo.de/politik/energiepolitik/wirtschaft-im-ruhrgebiet-koalenschließung-kritik-11744441.html]
[8] "Special Economic Zone Proposed for Rhenish Mining Area." Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, 9 December 2021. [https://www.waz.de/wirtschaft/wirtschaftspolitik/koalenschließung-im-ruhrgebiet-sonderwirtschaftszone-vorgeschlagen-11744343]
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